Kennedy Park Playground Art

Based on a suggestion from community members, landscape architects Hitchcock Design Group incorporated three climbable dolphin sculptures into the plans for Kennedy Park’s playground. Artist Roman Villarreal created the sculptures. Each of the three carved limestone dolphins has a slightly different pose and expression. They sit on a blue rubberized surface representing water—edged with sand-like tan and brown for land. Custom-designed playground equipment also weaves in the dolphin and sea theme.



Chicago artist Roman Villarreal has created or collaborated on a number of sculptures in Chicago’s parks. These include the Mermaid (also known as La Sirena) which is now in Burnham Park; Interpreting Nature in Humboldt Park, and playground art at Palmer Square and Lincoln Park’s Margate Park.